When it came time to think about characters for the new VeggieTales movie “Beauty and the Beet,” Kellie Pickler thought she might be cast as fried okra or “something really Southern.” She ended up as Mirabelle, a sweet potato who sings lead in her family band.

The combination, she thinks, “fits perfectly.”

“It’s my first time trying to tackle the role of a sweet potato and I’m so glad I did,” Pickler said. “It was fascinating watching the animation come to life.”

“Beauty and the Beet,” which offers a new take on the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” will premiere Oct. 14 on DVD . And, Pickler isn’t completely out of her comfort zone. The country singer and “Dancing with the Stars” champ performs seven original songs on the DVD’s soundtrack. She said the songs are “throwback” with a “’50s and ’60s vibe.”

“It’s really fun to break away from country and do something different,” Pickler said. “I love that era.”

Pickler has no children of her own but does have three godchildren. She said she looks at children like wet clay, waiting to be molded.

“There’s always a sweet little lesson where you’re learning something (in VeggieTales),” she said. “Children are always learning something. To be part of your children’s molding is kind of neat and special. I love VeggieTales. It’s precious. Now I’m the cool Aunt Kellie now. I’m cool with the toddlers.”

Pickler said people have told her over the years that her voice “is kind of animated like a cartoon character.” But she said it was still a bit of a shock to hear herself in the movie.

“My husband and I watched it last night,” she said. “I was like, ‘Is this how I sound?’ And he said, ‘Sometimes.’”